Resilient wheel.



M. F. KETTLER.

RESILIENT WHEEL.

Arrucmou HLED mu! I9, 19x3.

Patent/ed Sept. 5, 1916.

4 SHEET$ -SHEET I WITNESSES:

M. F. KETTLER.

RESILIENT WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19. 191

Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

W/ TIVESSES: .6 MW

M. F. KETTLER.

RESILIENT WHEEL.

APPLICATlON FILED JULY 19, 1913.

Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOR W '7 BY 14/ armR/m M. r. KETTLER. RESILIENT WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I9. I9I3.

PatentvdSept. 5, 1916.

4 SHEET$-SHEET 4 llI/I/ENTOR WM 1/. w

By fl mAu-pa l f a t ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES:

- UN ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN F. KETTLER, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, ASS IGNOR TO DOWNING PNEUMATIC WHEEL'COMPANY, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, A CORPORATION 01E ARIZONA.

'nnsrnmn'r WHEEL.

Medication Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

To all w ham it may concern Be it known that I, Mlm'rn; F. Ku'r'rnns,

- the spokes as the vehicle moves along;

The general object of this invention is to impro e the construction of wheels of this character so that they may be more cheaply and easily manufactured and the parts may be more readily assembled or taken apart.

A. further object is to so construct the Wheel that its resiliency will be increased both in relation to the common pneumatic tired Wheel and in relation to wheels where the pneumatic cushion is disposed between the hub and rim.

A furtherohject is to so construct the Wheel to provide an outer section, movable with relation to the central or bill) section radially, tangentially and circumferentially and an intermediate pneumatic cushion, and in this connection to so construct ithis wheel that while thehuh section and ,outer-rim section, or felly, will always have driving engagementnwith the hub, yet the rim section will have a certain freedom of movement radially and tangentially whereby the wheel is cushioned against vertical and direct jars and shocks and. also shocks delivered in lines extending upward and rearwe rd through the wheel, as when the wheel engages with a relatively high obstruction.

A further object is to provide a pneumatic cushion of the clencher type and provide a bearing ring, smeonstructed as to clench over the flange of this pneumatic tube or cushion to thereby engage'the pneumatic cushion with the ring and hold the split or joint of the tube closed.

A further object is to provide a bearing ring for the pneumatic cushion so constructed that the cushion may be readily re moved from the hub and when removed may be also readily replaced thereon and. means for securely locking said ring on the hub.

A still further object is to provide in corn nection with the ring and tube an air pipe or inlet through which air may be forced for the purpose of inflating the pneumatic cushion.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of an inclosing plate provided to protect the pneumatic cushion and which may be readily secured in position on the hub and as readily removed when access is sought to said. cushion, said plate being spaced from the cushion when in position so as not to contact therewith.

A further object in-this connection is to provide a plurality'of'power transmission or connecting members connecting the hub to the outer section and which are cushioned so that as power-is transmitted from the hub to the outer section the clashing of parts will be minimized and the wheel thereby rendered practically noiseless.

A further object is to so construct the wheel that it may be made of sheet metal sections so designed that maximum strength with minimum weight is secured, and to form the wheel with hollow tubular sheet metal spokes connected in a. simple yet efficient manner to the rim and to the intermediate section.

A still further object is to secure in a wheel having an annular cushion disposed between the rim portion and the hub, the freest possible'action of the cushion so that it may be permitted to rotate relative to the hub and so that it will absorb the largest proportion of the shock possible.

With the 'above and other objects in view, the invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, operation and arrangement of parts, an example of which is given in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure l is a side elevation of the wheel viewed from the outer side thereof. Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken on the line aa, of Fig. 1. Fig. 2;,is a partial sectional view taken on the line 12-4: of Fig. 1. Figs. 4 and 5 show partial sectional views of the outer and center sections, respectively, of the wheel, taken on the line o-c of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of the hub. Fig. 7 shows a fragmentary end view of the inner end of the hub. Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of the bearing ring for the neumatic cushion, the parts thereof eing shown spaced aparti Fig. 9 shows an inner end view of said ring. Figs. '10 and 11' lines 0-1: and b-b of Fig. 1. Fig. 16 isa.

sectional view of the outer or protecting plate. Figs. 17 and 18 show, respectively, a fragmentary plan view and a sectional view of a form of locking ring employed to lock said outer plate,'sho\m in Fig. 16, in a fixed position on the hub. Fig. 19 shows e sectional view of the screw capwhich 1s provided to fit over the outer end of the hub. Figs. 20 "and 21 show, respectively, sectional and end iews of the cushion for cushioning the eso transmission members. Figs. 22 and 23 show, nespectively, side elevatlon' and end views of another form of saidcushioning device, and Fig. 24 shows a sectional view of a bearing member designed to be used in connection with the form of cushionin device shown in Figs. 22 and 23.

Refining now more particularly to the rests upon the conical portion of the hub up close'to the flange 2 and the latter of which rests upon the wedge shaped ring 3 and the bearing ring is permitted to turn upon the hub in the manner and for the purpose 7 hub and the inwardly extending flanges .7 aid 8 forming bearings upon thexxmie'iil rtion of the hub and the wedge r g prevent the binding of the open the hub, thus reducing the friction to a minimum. The periphery of the bearing 1 ring has a. circumferential groove, and tailed in cross sectionof an outer casing and an inner tube, suh' stztntmliy similar in, construction. to the? pneumatic tire now in common use on auto-' mobiles and the outer casing has annular ribs on each side of the split or )"oint thereof which lock or engage in this dove-tailed groove in the manner of the ordinary auto mobile tire and said cushion is thereby held A pneumatic cushion 9 is provided formed;

firmly-upon the bearing ring. Closely stir-l rounding this cushion and rcsting n ainst the periphery thereof is the inner to ly I0 which is circular in shape and formed of drawings, whereinlike numerals of reference designate similar parts in each of the figures, the numeral 1 refers to the hub which is a metallic tubular member designed to be secured upon the end of the vehicle axle. The outer end of this .hub is outwardly threaded and near the inner end thereof the hub is provided with an annular fiangc,2 for a purpose to be hereinafter stated. This hub is substantially of uniform diameter from end to end with the cxccptionjhat from about the mid portion thereof to the .inner side of the flange it.

gradually thickens in dimensions so as to give that portion of the hub a frusto-conion] form.

The numeral 3designates a wedge shaped ring which is designed to be slidable over the threaded end of the hub, the thick portion outwardly: This ring has a key way in its input will, which when. the ring is in position coincides with a corresponding key way in the periphery of thc hub and when said ring is placed in position on the hub it may be locked against turning by means of n key 3 which rests in said key Way s, said wedge shaped ring being shown in position on the hub in Fig. 2. A two part bearing ring is provided, the parts thereof being indicated by the nun'ierals 4-and 5 and said parts being secured together by means of set screws, as 6, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. This bearing ring surrounds the hub and has inwardly extending flanges 7 and 8 r at its respective ends, the former of which hollow metal. The inner sideof this inner felly 10 is slightly convex so as to ,prcsentm a small bearing surface against the cushion thereby minimizing the friction and wear thereon. A plurality of spokes 11 radi from this inner folly and the outer fellv is carried by the outer end of said spokes.

The outer felly and spokes are preferably formed of hollow metal and the spokes are formed integral with both the inner and outer follies so as to .form substantially a single member. The huter felly carries the no riin 13 which in turn carries in the usual manner the hrs 14 preferably formed of solr'l rubber or some other sufitnblc muterinl.

The numeral 15 refers to a metellic piste bor ng a central orifice 16 through which the inner end of the hub l projects and the inner Edge of this plate lite u closely against the flange 2 and is holte thereto.

The central portion of this plate is concuved 1 lubricant finds its way to the internal and movable parts of the wheel. The inner felly has a plurality of transverse openings 20 therethrough, square in cross section and arranged at a uniform distance apart therearound. These openings are preferably alined withthe alternating spokes 11 and the rim of the plate 15 and the ring 17 are held clamped loosely against the sides of the inner felly by means of bolts 21 which extend through suitable orifices in said rim and ring and through the square openings 20. These bolts are secured in position by means of lock nuts 22. As will be observed from the drawings, the openings 20 are considerably lar er than the bolts 21 so as to permit consi erable play of the inner felly either radially, tangentially or circumferentially. 1

A cushioning device has been provided, as shown in Figs. 20 and 21, consisting of a square tubing 23 whose sides are, either separate or integral with each other and formed of thin flexible material, slightly concaved and lined with a thick'tubing 24, preferably formed of asbestos or some similar material and bolted or otherwise fastened to the tubing 23. This cushioning device is of a size to fit closely in the square openings 20. and in length is equal to the thickness of the inner felly. \Vhen in position in said openings it is apparent that the bolts 21 will )ass through the same and as the inner elly moves upon the bolts, the asbestegi liming 24 will prevent any clashing the metal and the flexible sides of the tubing 23 will minimize the shock upon the bolts 21. Instead of the cushioning device just described, a strong coil spring 25, preferably made of spring steel, which is oval in general contour, as shown, may be inserted in the openings 20, as is shown in Fig. 2, and the bolts 21 pass therethrough. In

case the coil spring is used, glands, such as 26, should be inserted in each end thereof to form a bearing for said bolts and to hold the bolts centered relative to the spring.

The wire of which this spring is made may either be round or square and the central portion of the spring 18 of such diameter as to fit snugly in the holes 20 and it is obvious that as the outer portion of the wheel'moves relative to the central or hub portion, all of the bolts are brought into play at the same time and inasmuch as both ends of each spring have a certain amount of play relative to the central portion thereof the bolts are cushioned, each springas a whole having a certain amount of lateral flexibility so that when the springs are relieved of the weight they will have the tendency to assume their original position and -ing the hub back to its central position re ative to the wheel. The hole through the inner felly r for the reception of these springs may be square, round, hexagonal or of any other desired shape and it is further to be observed that this form of cushioning device may be used entirely or any individual wheel may be cushioned partly with the coil springs and partly with the cushioning device, shown in F1 s. 20 and 21, as may be desired.

While in use, the pneumatic cushion 9 may become deflated from some accidental cause or otherwise and in such case it will be found desirable to lock the outer section to the center or hub section against movement so that the vehicle can be temporarily used until the pneumatic cushion can be replaced. For this purpose I have provided a plurality of transverse orifices 26' through the inner felly 10 which are arranged betweenthe square openings 20 and alined with said orifices in the rim of the plate 15 are cuplike recesses 27 and alined there ith on the other side are the orifices 28 t rough the ring 17. The metal surrounding the orifices 28' is forced outwardly forming a tubular portion 29 which is internally threaded. .In

such as 30 may be inserted through the corresponding orifices 28 and 26, allowing their inner ends to seat in the recesses 27 and the outer and central sections of the wheel will be thereby locked together forming a rigid wheel. When the pins 30 are not in lace, a lubricant may be introduced through the orifices 28 into the interior of the wheel and these orifices are at all times protected by means of plugs 31 which are screwed therein. The'wedge shaped ring 3 is locked in position by means of the ring shaped nut 32 which is threaded on to the outer end of the huh I and abuts against the outer end of said ring 3.

For the purpose of protecting the pneu-' matic cushion I have provided a metallic plate 33 having a central orifice through which the outer end of the hub projects.

-lVhen in position-the inner edge of this plate rests against the nut 32. The inner edge of the ring 17 is turned outwardly and said out turned portion 34 base. plurality of slots 35 whose inner ends are extended circumferentially. The outer edge of the plate the studs 37 are forced into the slots 35,

and the until sai studs lock in said slots. A ring like nut 38 is then threaded over the outer end of the hub and locked firmly against said plate 33 which is, thereby held in fixed" A hub cap is then screwed over position. the end of the hub and may be screwed up until it locks against. the nut 38 and the in 33 is also turned outward] formm the plate 33 then given a partial turn iso terior of tin: hub is H sum], dirt and other foreign matter. Thu plate 3 serves wily for the purpose (if pm footing the pneumatic cushion am? in (case ii should iKK'UD'IQ acridcntail misplaced, \Uiiihi not imifm'iuiiy aficut the strength or IQbiii" envy hf he whee and is arranged that it (2H1 be: easiiy lemon-J and g iiicki rugilnci i in case mums to the interior pmt .ii' the 1 wheel is: desired.

Fur the purpuse n? inflating the pnww math: lESiiiUU a szzmii tube: 44) i pnwinieli which mimiiimimtes with he inmn'. tube (if mid casing: an! is uuntmiimi by :i 1151a Valve in Huur limzr v manner. Th i1 1; extcnilis out LiH'HHL'i) 2K p:ir-t. ;agv\vu H in tho bearing ring am th s mdimiry Hi! pump 4:! other sourre of pressure may be zi'rmlv 1:0 cummunicute therewith and iizv THtlilifHE mp3 iiimi tin nwiimzztic (HFiL uH i cm'istant emu-pimp: :u-tim: with refer-crimthe hub and i." this pncmimtic uilm unntwiw! directly with the hub tiwru humid in? a Know or law mustard; bias strain 1;! pull w ti s tube and 2m :1 (:unsvqnenm Lise Min M134 in a relativeiy sham limo he torn ngmr? m- 3w some ilir t jltiii that it wuulii in iixviws. Ii is imt'nis; reusun that Filii umringz ring: ism:

30 been ymn'idm. This ring 2101. bili i' farm, ilhv maxim fur l'miding Uzi #piit -iuihuiis ui' the (:asing in cngiigjvnirrit with (HL Mim {mi N forms :i bearing; wizi ii M 4 up. .im! 2110111 QH! aha ii iii.

ms protected against [w before sum? the fire him a mmtzmi- 'rvepmgt movement 111M {hm viii/1 1,111,; ring;

. gmi- Um huh Tim ring: is.

1 mm iafimvmg tin: pi: i

i115- zi ig? :Jzngwi nut iii swim! ml pneaumsiiv him; in ii-mau e th'" \l\ p 31 "w fnmzd to he simpexpeensiw inasmuch w; the win feliv and s nkvs wii? be, was stmizpm steel, in km; parts an? br mwi or Wald-M together so that; they ail 5-1- integral and the hahmre of the skim-i.

} said ii i]! in) HiHii' mit of was? $9014 am Huihihlv mm ML the f0 7 o sung) and irmxpr-i HF'WSH in wictioiz Ming iii, whivi' 150.41 ifljiki) in be iii/aimed.

25,411} W213i; 5 mmsidvr h aws v15%;: of Mil: wish ring. m iii ifs.

tween the said casing plates and resting upon the pneumatic cushion, and means connccting the rim section to the casing plates for limited radial movement relative thereto.

3. In a wheel of the class described, a floating hub, a rim disposed to surround the hub and supported for movement relativc thereto, casing plates carried by the hub and between which the inner portion of the rim is located, bolts secured through the casing plates, the said rim being pro vided with sleeve portions through which the bolts extend and which are of a diameter greater than that of the bolts, and auxiliary cushioning means comprising springs of double spiral form fitted upon the said bolts and having their intermediate whirls coiiperating with the walls of the sleeves.

4. In a wheel of the class described, an inner hub section, an outer rim section, a cushioning member interposed between the said hub and rim sections, spaced plates carried by the hub section between which the rim section is arranged to move, the rim section being provided with a series of openings having plane walls, bolts secured through the said plates and extending through the openings, and a cushioning member fitted in each of said openings and having yieldable hypocycloidal walls.

5. In a wheel of the class described, an inner hub section, an outer i'im section, a

cushioning member interposed between the said hub and run. sections, spaced plates carried by the hub section between which the rim section arranged to move, the rim section being, provided with a series of openings having plane walls, bolts secured through the said plates and extending through the openings, 0. cushioning member titted in each of said openings and having yieldablchypocycloidal walls, and a yield able lining for the said valls.

(3. In a wheel of the class described, a hub exteriorly conic-ail adjacent one end land adjacent the minor end of its conical portion being exteriorly cylindrical, a conical collar removabl fitted upon the cylindrical portion of the hub with its minor end located at the minor end of the conical portion of the hub, a bearing ring fitted upon the conical portion of the hub and upon the said conical collar, and means upon the hub bearing against the major end of the collar and holding the same firmly in engagement within the bearing ring, a cushion support ed upon the ring, and a floating rim section supported upon the cushion.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARTIN F. KETTLER.

\Vitnesses: v

M. MoN'rGoMnnY, H. E. STOREY. 

